At approximately 5 p.m., Gloucester Police were dispatched to the Maplewood Car Wash on Maplewood Avenue for a report of an armed robbery.

Upon arrival, officers learned that a masked suspect, later identified as PACHECO, entered the business holding a two-tone handgun and demanded money from the cashier. When the cashier initially did not comply, PACHECOallegedly cocked the weapon and repeated his demand.

After being handed a quantity of cash, PACHECOfled the building. Following an initial investigation, officers broadcast a description of the suspect to fellow officers in the area.

Shortly afterward, another officer observed PACHECO inside the Oak Grove Cemetery and began pursuing him on foot after he fled. Police quickly caught up to PACHECO and took him into custody, finding that he was allegedly still in possession of the mask and gloves he had allegedly been wearing, as well as the stolen cash.

After further investigation, a Gloucester Police detective recovered both the realistic-looking airsoft handgunand gray sweatshirt that PACHECOhad been wearing near a business bordering the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Chief McCarthy praised the work of officers in quickly apprehending the suspect.

“WIthin an hour, the suspect in a brazen daytime robbery was in custody thanks to the aggressive and diligent work of our officers,” Chief McCarthy said.

PACHECOwas held at the Gloucester Police Department pending his arraignmentat Gloucester District Court.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.